10 PROVEN Ways To Get Into The Gaming Industry

And when I say “do your homework”, I don’t just mean training at home with a focus on the skills you want to learn - I mean tailoring your output to better suit the company you’re eager to work for.

I once saw a showreel with the most absolutely exquisite 3D animation in it, keyframed perfectly and featuring a well-skinned rig. But, the animations all featured a Bugs Bunny-style cartoon character, and the motions were heavily stylised, with a lot of squashing and stretching... and the role they were applying for was character animator for Tom Clancy’s The Division.

Those doing the hiring recognised his talent, but still couldn’t offer him the role - the style of work was just too far removed from what they needed to see.

So, if you’re going to be applying to a company well-known for realistic games, try not to focus too heavily on a stylised, cartoony showreel to send them.

In addition to this, recruiters love to hear you know about the company already. If you’re trying to get a job at Ubisoft, it’s maybe not so great an idea to tell your recruiter you hate realistic shooting and driving games, or tell them that Rayman is totally balls.

Do your homework about the company you’re applying to, and tailor your application accordingly. This will go a long way, much like The Proclaimers.